Basic planning
Buenos Aires is vast, but easy to explore by cheap taxi, bus, or metro. Along the way you’ll notice the European influences that give the city its unique flavor.
Start your day at Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada, where Evita once addressed the nation from her famous balcony. Then head to San Telmo, the historic district filled with antique shops and tango bars. Don’t miss the Sunday flea market — it’s one of the city’s highlights.
In the center, a tour of the Teatro Colón is a must for culture lovers. One of the world’s largest opera houses, it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look.
Next stop: La Boca, a working-class barrio in the south, known for its colorful houses and vibrant street life. Recoleta is also worth a visit. This wealthy neighborhood is home to the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where Evita Perón’s grave remains a place of pilgrimage.
For stylish shopping, dining, and nightlife, head to Palermo. Palermo Viejo is packed with hip bars, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants — the perfect spot to end your day.
Gay scene
Buenos Aires’ gay scene is centered in Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo. Here you’ll find everything from old-school discos and hip cocktail bars to stylish dance clubs and darker cruise bars.
Don’t expect big crowds early in the night. Porteños dine late — usually around 10 p.m. — so bars don’t fill until after midnight. Gay clubs open around 1 a.m. and only get busy in the early hours, from 2 a.m. onward. That’s when the night truly heats up.
